Two minor oil fields in Libya have resumed production after a temporary halt earlier this week, when a security unit shut down valves to demand higher wages. The valves have now been reopened, according to Masoud Suleiman, Chairman of Libya's National Oil Corporation, who stated on Wednesday that output has returned to normal levels. He expressed confidence that no further stoppages are anticipated.
The Petroleum Facilities Guard, responsible for protecting Libya's oil fields, pipelines, and terminals, closed the main Hamada-Zawiya pipeline valve on Tuesday, leading to a halt in production at the Hamada and Tahara fields, as well as the NC5 pumping station. The National Oil Corporation had previously warned that it might declare force majeure if the supply disruption persisted or spread to other installations.
Data indicates that the OPEC member country produced approximately 1.34 million barrels per day of crude oil in August. After other armed units within the guard received pay raises, this particular unit also demanded increased compensation, threatening to reduce output at several major fields—including Sharara, El Feel, and Wafa—and potentially shut them down entirely if their demands were not met.
It remains unclear what agreement facilitated the reopening of the valves, nor whether the guard's demands have been fully addressed.
Comments